Although he insisted playing No. 1 within the Red Bull Racing team is out of the question for the time being, Webber is now regarded as the strongest of the two RBR drivers in the title fight. He scored no less than 5 podiums in the last 6 races (one win, two runner-up spots and two 3rd places), becoming the first Australian to fight for the F1 titles since 3-time world champion Jack Brabham.
And since we're talking about Brabham, it's worth mentioning the very 83-year old believes Webber is championship material this year. Given his constant high point-scoring in 2009, only a potential failure of the RB5 would stop him from making a run for the title in the closing stages on the season.
“I certainly believe that Mark Webber can go all the way and win the world championship - providing the car holds up. It's fantastic to see Webber up there, he's doing a great job. You know, we've given Mark as much encouragement as we could as he's come along and it's lovely to see him doing well,” said the triple F1 champion in an interview with the Associated Press.
Webber's close relationship with the Brabhams is no news, as the Red Bull driver partially dedicated his maiden F1 win – at the Nurburgring, 3 weekends ago – to the former Australian champion.
“Certainly, a small part of my victory is down to Jack, because my father was a great admirer of his and probably I wouldn't have been racing cars without Jack lighting that little fire in the Webber family,” said Webber after the German GP.
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